Loss of the Lion (1625)
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The engagement off Surat and the subsequent loss of the Lion at Bandar Abbas (also known as the Defence of the Lion)[6] were two naval actions fought in 1625 between the Kingdom of Portugal and the English East India Company during the Anglo-Portuguese rivalry in the Persian Gulf.
- Portuguese victory
- Destruction of the Lion
| Loss of the Lion (1625) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Anglo-Portuguese rivalry in the Persian Gulf | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Portuguese Estado da Índia |
 East India Company | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Nuno Álvares Botelho Rui Freire de Andrade[1] Gaspar Gomes[2] |
Captain Blyth[3] Richard Swanley †[3] Henry Crosbey[3] | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
4 galleons[4] 14–20 frigates | 3 ships | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 26 dead[1] |
1 ship sunk 68 dead[5] | ||||||
On 17 October 1625,[a] an English fleet was engaged by Portuguese forces under Nuno Álvares Botelho off Swally (Surat).[2] The Lion was boarded, but after a prolonged fight, the English managed to drive off the Portuguese.[8][3]
The Lion later arrived at Bandar Abbas, where she remained for several days.[3] In 8[3] or 18 November,[9] Botelho arrived from Hormuz with 14–20 frigates.[b] Following a fierce defense, the ship was destroyed by fire and explosion, and all but one of her crew were executed.[3][10][11]
